News | Liu Shiming Centennial Gala Announces New Awards and Institutional Initiatives

On February 25, 2026, the Liu Shiming Centennial Gala took place at The University Club of New York. Hosted by the Liu Shiming Art Foundation, the evening convened leaders from the arts, education, museums, and civic communities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of sculptor Liu Shiming’s birth and to reflect on the Foundation’s evolving direction.

The program opened with the premiere of a commemorative film tracing Liu’s artistic path—from his early studies in Tianjin and training at the Central Academy of Fine Arts to the creation of his graduation work Measuring the Land; from his years living and teaching in rural Henan and Hebei to archival footage documenting his role in the restoration of Han dynasty sculptures at the National Museum of Chinese History. The film underscored Liu’s lifelong conviction that art must remain rooted in lived experience. For Liu, spirit was not abstraction but vitality—a living force that sculpture must embody through the inner character and dynamic presence of its subjects. As both artist and educator, he maintained that art must return to life itself, allowing works to unfold over time in sustained dialogue with viewers.

This ethos continues to shape the Foundation’s mission. In recent years, it has expanded exhibitions and scholarly exchange of Liu Shiming’s work across institutions and cities while strengthening its scholarship and artist grant programs. In 2025, the Artist Grants program received nearly 1,400 applications from 96 countries. The Liu Shiming Scholarship has now established designated funds at more than 50 universities and educational institutions worldwide. Through sustained investment, the Foundation seeks to create durable conditions for artistic production and teaching across diverse cultural contexts.

Executive Director Puiking Hui reflected on Liu’s dual identity as artist and educator, noting that his sense of responsibility remains central to the Foundation’s work. From exhibitions to grants, from research to mentorship, the Foundation continues to carry forward this commitment within a contemporary landscape in which art and society remain deeply intertwined.

Two significant initiatives were announced during the evening. The first was the establishment of the Liu Shiming Legacy Award, recognizing artists whose sustained engagement with social questions has generated meaningful public impact. The inaugural recipient is American conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas, whose practice examines identity, history, and public memory while foregrounding the civic dimensions of artistic production.

The second initiative is the launch of the Liu Shiming Internship Program in partnership with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation. Beginning this summer, the program will provide young art students with hands-on experience within a major museum setting, contributing to exhibition preparation, public programming, and research. The collaboration extends the Foundation’s support for emerging arts professionals into an international institutional context.

During the gala, two recipients of the Liu Shiming Outstanding Educator Award spoke about the broader stakes of art education. Beyond technical instruction, they emphasized the importance of cultivating students’ ability to observe the world and engage critically with social realities. They also addressed the structural challenges facing adjunct faculty, underscoring the need for long-term institutional support in sustaining creative growth. Their reflections resonated with Liu Shiming’s own pedagogical focus on spirit and vitality.

The centennial represents a defining moment in the Foundation’s development. Through new awards, institutional partnerships, and long-term funding commitments, it continues to refine its framework and expand its reach. Looking ahead, the Foundation will deepen collaboration across cultural institutions while reinforcing connections among artistic practice, education, and public life.

The evening served not only as a commemoration, but as a reaffirmation of purpose—honoring Liu Shiming’s legacy while advancing a sustained commitment to art, education, and public engagement.